The lawsuit challenging the legality of the suspension was filed in state Supreme Court earlier this month by Robert "R.A." DePrima. It was served on the BID the day after Executive Director Mary Spinelli announced her resignation to take a job in California.

The executive board of the neighborhood booster group dismisses the suit as the action of a "rogue member." They also allege DePrima made Spinelli feel so threatened that a panic button was installed in the office after she told police she feared for her safety.

It also comes as the BID prepares for LarkFEST, which draws thousands to the shopping area in the heart of the city's downtown neighborhoods each September. It is the group's biggest event of the year.

The BID is funded by a special tax on property owners inside its boundaries and is governed by a board with 15 volunteer directors, 12 of whom are elected.

The lawsuit against the organization and several board members stems from a Dec. 2 incident involving DePrima and Spinelli at the BID's 245 Lark St. office. But people familiar with the situation describe tension between the two dating back several years as DePrima has questioned the BID's spending and Spinelli's qualifications.

DePrima, who was elected to the BID's board to represent renters, acknowledges in court papers that he confronted Spinelli that day after a stranger was seen on the fire escape of neighboring building DePrima manages at 247 Lark St.

DePrima said the stranger was spotted by a new tenant who was upset because he had moved into the building to escape an abusive relationship. That stranger, it turned out, was a maintenance worker at the BID attempting to access the roof.

But, according to the lawsuit, when DePrima called the BID to find out who the man was, Spinelli hung up on him.

DePrima then went next door to the BID office to press the issue, resulting in an argument during which Spinelli ordered him out of the building, the suit alleges. DePrima acknowledges he refused to leave until his questions were answered.

According to a police complaint filed by Spinelli — a copy of which was obtained by the Times Union — DePrima became so aggressive that Spinelli told police she feared "any moment (he) was going to make this a physical altercation."

Spinelli, through the BID's board, declined to comment Tuesday.

DePrima's attorney, John Keenan, denied his client intimidated Spinelli and said a recording DePrima made that day of their verbal dispute supports that.

The BID subsequently beefed up its security and, in February, voted to suspend DePrima — a power DePrima contends in his lawsuit that the board did not have.

The BID, meanwhile, provided notes of that February meeting which it believes shows DePrima wants to "dissolve" the organization entirely. Keenan countered that DePrima is not hostile to BID's existence but believes its operations could be scaled back, which is why he wants to review the financial records.

A judge refused DePrima's initial request that the targets of the suit — Spinelli and five current and past members of the BID's executive board — be barred from using BID funds to defend themselves.

The BID will have an opportunity to respond to the other claims at a later date.

In a statement on the behalf of the BID's executive board, the BID defended its actions to protect a vulnerable employee and said it is proud of its "nearly 20-year record of improving and showcasing Albany's finest neighborhoods."

"We are, therefore, extremely disappointed that one rogue member has attempted to distract the board and staff by engaging in unprofessional and threatening conduct. We believe the board has an obligation to take appropriate action to protect the operations of our organization and the safety and well-being of our staff," the statement said.